Logan l



Dec. 22 I, 1925. I

L. L. MALLARD TOY Filed Nov. 20. 1924 Loyal/L Mallard I INVENTOR I a z ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 22, 1925.

UNITED STATES LOGAN L. MALLARD, OF NORFOLK, 'VIRGINIA.

TOY.

Application filed November 20, 1924. Serial No. 750,976.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LOGAN L. MALIiARD, a

citizen of the United States, residing at,

Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toys, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in toys and more particularly to a rolling toy the primary object being to provide a simple and inexpensive toy of the character mentioned which will be exceptionally pleasing-t0 children of all ages. A further object of the invention resides in providing a toy composed of a plurality of linked-together rollers or cylinders upon the outer faces of which are applied fancy designs, the toy being adapted to be drawn by a flexible connection whereby the designs on the cylinders or rollers will become effective and pleasing to the eye.

A still further object of the invention resides in so linking together the cylinders or rollers that the same may be pyramided, thus causing certain of said rollers or cylinders to be rotated in a direction opposite to that of certain others, as the device is propelled.

Still another object resides in providing a toy of the class described in which the rollers are so linked together that the toy may be considered substantially an inde- 'structible one.

With these and other objects in view my invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawing forming. '1. part of this application,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toy constructed in accordance with my in-- vention; I

Figure 2 is a plan view of the forward link or bail member;

Figure 8 is a similar view of one of the ordinary links connecting the rollers;

Figure 4: is a side elevation of the last mentioned link;

Figure 5 is a side elevation showing. a

slight modification of the invention wherein a number of rollers are added and pyra-.

mided and Figure 6 is a plan view ofa still further modification wherein the shape of the rollers is slightly changed. i

In describing the invention I shall refer to the drawing in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which the numeral 5 designates a plurality of hollow or tubular cylinders or rollers upon the outer peripheral faces of which are painted or otherwise applied various fancy designs so that when the rollersare rotated the effect will be pleasing and attractive to the eye. In the present instance I have shown painted or otherwise inscribed on these rollers alternating diagonal and longitudinal colored stripes but it will be understood that any design whatsoever may be used and it is particularly desirable that complementary designs be used on the respective cylinders or rollers to bring out the effect when the device is propelled.

In the preferred form of theinvention I have. shown a toy in which three such rollers or cylinders are used, this being a sufiicient number to constitute a completely operative toy of the type desired and also sufficiently cheap to manufacture to enable it to be sold at a very nominal figure. The one end cylinder or roller may be termed the forward end one and has engaged therewith a link member 6 which is formed from a singlestrand of wire looped intermediate of its ends and crossed toform a central. eye, '7, the continuing portions being bent in the form of a rectangular bail-like member.

The transverse rear portions of this member 6 are sprung into the open ends of the one roller or cylinder 5 and a draw string or other flexible drawing attachment 8 is engaged with the eye 7 to enable the toy to be drawn over the ground or other object on which the same may be placed. The remaining rollers or cylinders are linked together and'engaged with the first mentioned roller through the medium of the U-shaped links 9. The base portion of the link 9 extends through the bore of the roller or cylinder and the arm portions are bent or offset somewhat inwardly as shown at 10, the extreme ends of the arms being bent or looped back upon themselves to form the elongated loops 11. These elongated loops are engaged with the succeeding link by encircling the portions of the transverse section thereof which extends beyond. the ence of the succeeding roller or cylinder, as is clearly shown in 1 of the drawing. Thus a loose lin-l'r connection is provided between the respective rollers or cylinders allowing a reasonable amount of play therebetween. When the device so described is drawn over; the

. ground the rotating cylinders with their deolder age and of a playful type will also be interested therein.

In playing with the device shown the last of the cylinders or rollers 5 may be swung upwardly and pyramided upon theother two rollers- TNhen the device is thus drawn over the ground the two lowermost cylinders will rotate in one direction while the upper or pyramided cylinder or roller will rotate in an opposite direction, causing a still further pleasing effect.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a slightly modilied form of the invention in which a greater number of cylinders or rollers 12 are provided the same being linked together in the same manner as described hereabove through the medium of the links 13, said links being of the identical same construction as the links described above. In this form of toy'the various cylinders may be pyramided to a greater extent so that the rows or cylinders or rollers will rotate in alternately opposite direction. As many rollers or cylinders may be provided as desired and I do not wish to be limited to a toy constructed with any particular number of cylinders or rollers. In this form of the device a forward drawing link or bail memher it is provided and a draw string 15 similar to that illustrated in the first men tion is identical to that previously described,

and in this connection it may be stated that I do not limit myself to any particular form. or design of roller because other shapes or designs may be provided Withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

The basic idea of the invention involves the linking together of a plurality of rollers of any shape or design which rollers are provided with designs on their face so that when drawn or propelled will give a pleasing effect, the linking together of the rollers being such that said rollers may be pyramided; when desired.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a simple, inexpensive and efficient means for carrying out the objects and while I have described the elements best adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes. in form, proportion, and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to, withoutv departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is z- 1. A toy comprising a series'of' rollers loosely connected together and adapted for pyramiding.

2. A toy comprising a series of rollers having fanciful designs thereon, and means loosely connecting said rollers to permit pyramiding thereof.

3. A toy comprising a series of rollers loosely linked together to permit pyramiding thereof. 1

4. A toy comprising a series of rollers and loose pivotal connections therebetween to permit pyramiding thereof.

5. A toy comprising a series of rollers, and means loosely and successively connecting said rollers.

6. A toy comprising a series of rollers and rigid elements engaging said rollers and providing loose pivotal connectiontherebetween. I

'4'. A toy comprising a series of rollers and link members carried thereby having loose pivotal connection with one another.

8. A toy comprising a series of rollers and an element carried by each roller having loose pivotal connection with the ele ment' of a succeeding roller.

9. A toy comprising av series of rollers and spacing elements carried thereby loosely linked together.

10. A toy of the class described compris ing a series of rollers and spacing elements carried thereby loosely and successively linked together.

11. A toy of the classdescribed comprising a series of rollers, U-shaped members carried thereby having loose pivotal connection with one another.

12. A toy comprising a series of cylindrical rollers and U-shaped members mounted in the bores thereof and having their arms loosely linked together.

13. A toy comprising a series "of cylindrical rollers and U-sha ed members mounted in the bores thereo the arms of each member being loosely linked in engagement with the member of the succeeding roller.

14. A toy comprising a series of cylindrical rollers, a U-shaped member mounted in the bore of each roller, the arms of each member being looped into engagement with a member of the succeeding roller to provide loose link connections and pivotal 10 connections therebetween. I t

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature. 

